Innovation platform and governance of local rice value chains in Benin: Between game of power and internal democracy?

In Benin, rice plays a major role in the food security of the poorest rural and urban populations. However, the rice value chains have failed to achieve their potential because of some systemic constraints. In recent years, innovation platforms (IPs) have received increasing focus as mechanisms for strengthening the interaction between the stakeholders in the rice value chains. Nevertheless, the issues of information asymmetry and power between stakeholders with often divergent interests suppress the expected effects of the implementation of IP approach. This article used thematic content analysis to assess the influence of IPs on the governance of the parboiled rice value chain. The findings reveal that local rice value chains are characterized by unequal access to resources and asymmetry of power, which generates inequalities within groups. Although their influence is less discernible, IPs have contributed to greater visibility for some emerging stakeholders and rebalanced stakeholders in terms of influence in value chains. Moreover, the perverse effects of financial and human resources management limit the impact of improvement actions in various value chains. Therefore, the development model of value chains may be oriented toward the “business idea approach” instead of the “project approach”

Pengaruh Gaya Kepemimpinan, Budaya Organisasi Dan Motivasi Kerja Terhadap Kinerja Pegawai (Studi Di Sekretariat Daerah Kabupaten Minahasa Tenggara)

The purpose of this study was determine to the effect of Leadership Style, Organizational Culture and Work Motivation towards Employee Performance. This Research done in Regional Secretariat Government of the Southeast Minahasa Regency. This study used quantitative research models of associative. The results of the study can be seen that the variable Leadership Style has a positive and significant effect on Employee Performance. Organizational culture also has a positive and significant effect on Employee Performance. Furthermore, Work Motivation has a positive and significant effect on Employee Performance. So that the Leadership Style, Organizational Culture and Work Motivation simultaneously have a positive and significant effect on Employee Performance. Keywords: Leadership Style, Organizational Culture, Work Motivation, Employee Performan

Impact of personality traits on work performance in tidal paddy production in the Gambia: a review

Efficient personality is central for effective work performance in tidal paddy farming. Improve rice productivity in the Gambia is essential for stakeholders as it is main actor in achieving food self-sufficiency and security. The aim of this paper is to confirm the impact of personality traits on work performance. Furthermore, to determine the relation between the personality traits for the paddy farmers with work performance; and also to identify the strength of the traits relation with work performance for paddy farmers. This paper uses previous works on personality traits, work performance, and its related studies and looked at how the seven personality traits (willingness to take risks, information seekers, problem solving ability, willingness to spend on capital, extensive network of information, dare to make decisions, and highly disciplined) of paddy farmers and work performance can be used to boost urban food supply through rice production. The need for appropriate development programs is required as one of the options to generate income and improve livelihood of farmers in developing countries

The Aftereffects of Corporal Punishment on Adults: Association of Childhood Spanking with Adult Stress Levels

Spanking has been an acceptable form of punishment for centuries. Previously thought as effective, studies have now shown the detriments of spanking, including increased aggression, drug abuse, and stress levels. This exploratory study sought to observe the stress levels of adults who experienced childhood spankings. It was hypothesized that those who experienced frequent spankings would report increased anxiety, reduced socialization, and decreased emotional regulation in times of stress. It was also hypothesized that those who reported being spanked would report lower emotional and physical health regulation and higher mental health diagnosis. Fifty-four participants were composed of undergraduate and graduate students at the University of South Carolina. While many factors were considered, including race, class, and family dynamic, the ultimate focus of the study was on the frequency and severity of spanking and the combination of spanking with other punishments. Statistical analysis was conducted using the statistics package available in MSE Analysis ToolPak (Excel 2021). The potential confound of anxiety related to Covid-19 was evaluated. Extreme positive significance was found between the severity of spanking and seeking validation from authority figures, partners, and peers. Those frequently spanked were more likely to endorse and use spanking, and there was a significant difference in response from those who experienced combined punishments than either those who experienced frequent or harsh spankings-those who experienced combined spankings self-reported suspecting developmental or depressive disorders and stronger desire and willingness to seek counseling. The research supported the hypotheses by showing positive correlations between frequency and severity of spankings and diagnosed developmental and depressive disorders. Further study would focus on the long-term effects of combined punishments

Does Agriculture have an Impact on Economic Growth? Empirical Evidence from the Gambia

The present study aims to answer the question, ‘Does agriculture have an impact on economic growth in the Gambia? The secondary source of data covering the time series period 1980 to 2017 is employed. It opines that agriculture is one of the variable techniques of economic growth in developing countries like the Gambia. The methods of analysis used were Error correction model and Auto regressive distributed lag model (ARDL) to estimate the economic growth. The study found a significant positive effect of agriculture on economic growth in both the short- run and long-run, reaffirming the sector’s importance in the economy. The impact of agriculture to economic growth is further affirmed from a causality test which showed that agriculture growth Granger- causes GDP growth and GDP growth also Granger causes agriculture growth. The study concludes that agriculture have a positive impact on economic growth. I recommend that, the government and policy makers should embark on diversification and enhance more allocation in terms of budgeting and policy changes in the agricultural sector. Key Words: Economic Growth, Gross Domestic Product and Agriculture

Determinants of the Growth Cycle of The Gambia’s Economy using ARDL and Forecasting Techniques

This paper intends to show the determinants of the forecasting of the growth cycle of the Gambia’s economy using a data from 1934- 2017.  The impact of the variables under observation towards the growth of the Gambia’s economy was analyzed. I will use forecasting techniques together with Auto Regression Distributed Lags to find the impacts of the variable. Tourism, exports and taxes play a very crucial role towards growth of the Gambia’s economy. The growth cycle will be forecasted with a variable values on the GDP series at a VECR of 0.9 point, unrestricted variable of 0.7 and a Bayesian variable of an open interval of the CLT at 0.5-0.9. I will also make use of both the dynamic and static forecasting methods to reach the statistically significant conclusion. Keywords: Growth Cycle, Gross Domestic Products, Taxes, Investment, Net Exports and Tourism JEL Classification: B22, C10, C12, C13, C51, C52, C53, C55, C80, F43, Y1